Urgent Call to Action – Democracy Counts – Get Involved in the May 2 Federal Elections

Submitted by mnagendran on Wed, 2011-04-20 00:00

Action Alert

Urgent Call to Action – Democracy Counts – Get Involved in the May 2 Federal Elections

April 19, 2011

As nurses, we know how important the May 2nd federal election is, for all Canadians and nurses in particular. Nothing less than the future of our publicly-funded and not-for-profit health care system is at stake. Whoever forms the government will lead the country into renegotiations of the Health Accord.They will help determine whether we take the opportunity to strengthen Medicare to include crucial services: primary health care for every Canadian resident, national pharmacare and home care. Now is the time for all of us to speak out. It’s the time for all of us to mobilize our families, friends, neighbours and colleagues to VOTE!

What happens in this election matters, to us and our families. That’s why we are sending you this Call to Action.Look at your morning newspaper.People around the world are dying, fighting for what we take for granted in Canada, one of the world’s greatest democracies. How can we not vote?

This is being sent to you in particular because you live in a riding that was decided by a very small number of votes in the 2008 election. Even more than most Canadians, your vote WILL make a difference. Candidates need to hear from you about what’s most important. Make sure you are heard.

How do you do that?

Check the following websites to see who are the top contenders in your riding and choose the one that aligns most with your values and aspirations for Canada:

Speak with your family, friends, neighbours and colleagues and mobilize them to mobilize others to go to RNAO’s and CNA’s website. And, to VOTE on May 2.

Send a letter below to the candidates for the four major political parties in your area and ask them where they stand on the important issues facing our health care system today. You can edit the letter too – feel free to add or change the letter as you wish.

What else can you do?

1.Get to know your candidates. If you’re not sure who they are, you can check the following websites

4.Ask the candidates where they stand on strengthening publicly funded and not-for profit Medicare. Here are some important questions, and feel free to add your own:

Will you and your Party commit to reaffirm the principles that underlie our publicly-funded, not-for-profit health care system and renegotiate the Health Accord in 2012 instead of 2014 to ensure ongoing adequate federal funding?

Will you and your Party uphold Medicare and protect Canadians from two-tier health care, user fees and extra-billing from private for-profit clinics and hospitals?

Will you and your Party bring in a national pharmacare program that would use bulk buying and other cost-control measures to reduce the cost of drugs and ensure all Canadians have access to needed medications?

Will you and your Party support a national strategy to provide public , not-for-profit home care and home care services to support those with chronic conditions and older persons to remain vibrant members of our community?

5.Send this message to your family, friends, neighbours and colleagues. Urge them to get involved today and ask them to get others engaged! Democracy counts!